Bangor -

BANGOR, Maine–The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Maine is sponsoring a free, Family-to-Family Education Program specifically for families of people diagnosed with mental illness. The first class of the 12-week series is 6-8:30 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 31. Preregistration is required by calling 866-3307, 299-0120 or 942-3035, emailingl lgi56@yahoo.com or contacting Christine Canty Brooks at the NAMI Maine office (800) 464-5767 or emailing
ccantybrooks@namimaine.org.The course will cover information about schizophrenia, the mood disorders (bipolar disorder and major depression), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and other major mental illnesses in addition to offering coping skills such as handling crisis and relapse; basic information about medications; listening and communication techniques; problem-solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation; and self-care around worry and stress will be included.